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Siraj didn’t hold back as he addressed Sharma’s claim that his effectiveness diminishes with the older ball. “I have taken the most wickets with the old ball in the past year among the world’s ten fastest bowlers. My economy rate is also low. The numbers speak for themselves,” Siraj declared, visibly frustrated.
His remarks directly challenge Sharma’s explanation during the Champions Trophy squad announcement, where the captain emphasized the need for bowlers who could perform consistently across all phases of the game—new ball, middle overs, and death. Siraj’s omission had raised eyebrows, especially after Jasprit Bumrah’s injury forced selectors to turn to Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana, with the latter proving instrumental in India’s victorious campaign.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the Champions Trophy, Siraj is channelling his energy into a fresh start with Gujarat Titans, who acquired him for Rs 12.25 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. Siraj, who previously played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, is one of their pace leaders which enabled them to explore their pace prospect even further.
In addition to this, Siraj aims to become a perfect replacement for Mohammed Shami and showcase his skills at the International level. “Selection is not in my hands. I have only a cricket ball in my hands, and I want to do as much as I can with that,” he said, thereby implying that it is paramount for him to stay in the team by performing well.
A first-rate display in the test series vs. Australia and a point to prove after the snub may turn Siraj’s IPL spell into a historical element in his quest to regain his place in the Indian team. With all eyes on him, the fight with Sharma provides an extra layer of excitement to his upcoming season.
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